After approximately 3 years as a global moderator, and then 2 years as an administrator here at Dhamma Wheel, Ben will be stepping down from these roles to pursue an excellent job opportunity that has come his way.

I would like to publicly thank Ben for his dedicated service to Dhamma Wheel and wish him all the best for the future!

Thanks Ben ~ you're a fine kalyana-mitta... thanks for everything!

In Ben's absence, I will be returning to the administrator role.

Metta,Retro.

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7

Thank you for everything you've done for this community, as a whole, and for each member, individualy. That includes your good advice to me, both public and private, through PM. I wish you all the happiness and peace possible. I'm happy that you have now an opportunity to practice more intensively. We'll be expecting, at least, ocasional posts.

Welcome back to the role, retro. This is like replacing a diamond with another diamond of equal value, but different shape. Thank you for offering to do this service, and the best of luck.

He turns his mind away from those phenomena, and having done so, inclines his mind to the property of deathlessness: 'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' (Jhana Sutta - Thanissaro Bhikkhu translation)

I am very glad for your good fortune, Ben, and am very appreciative of both the hard work you've done on the forum and the helpful advice I've received from you in public and private. May all go well with your endevours.

As for you, Retro: no matter your official status, I've always seen you as one of this forums guiding lights. So, I guess I'll just congratulate you on your fancy colour change!

MichaelThe thoughts I've expressed in the above post are carefully considered and offered in good faith.

And friendliness towards the world is happiness for him who is forbearing with living beings. -- Ud. 2:1To his own ruin the fool gains knowledge, for it cleaves his head and destroys his innate goodness. -- Dhp 72

Bhikkhus, if you develop and make much this one thing, it invariably leads to weariness, cessation, appeasement, realization and extinction. What is it? It is recollecting the Enlightened One. If this single thing is recollected and made much, it invariably leads to weariness, cessation, appeasement, realization and extinction.Anguttara-Nikaya: Ekanipata: Ekadhammapali: PañhamavaggaVSMVMMWBBTBHTWTBTMy Page

Good luck in your new life, Ben. Ditto to what the others have said. Thank you for all of your service on the boards.

_/\_Ron

What Makes an Elder? :A head of gray hairs doesn't mean one's an elder. Advanced in years, one's called an old fool.But one in whom there is truth, restraint, rectitude, gentleness,self-control, he's called an elder, his impurities disgorged, enlightened.-Dhammpada, 19, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

retrofuturist wrote:After approximately 3 years as a global moderator, and then 2 years as an administrator here at Dhamma Wheel, Ben will be stepping down from these roles to pursue an excellent job opportunity that has come his way.

Congratulations to Benji on new job, and I hope he can still find time to post here every once in a while. Hopefully he is not abandoning the community.

He might not realize this, but Benji played a very important part in me registering here at Dhammawheel. It were some of his posts that convinced me Dhamma Wheel community was different than others (aka some people actually practice meditation here, instead of debating theory Ad nauseum, Ad infinitium). He has always come across as a very mature student of Goenkaji, someone who speaks from personal experience that can only be gained by having walked the path. A person I would like to emulate.

Thank you, Ben, for your service here and best wishes for your new employment. You have always been a thoughtful moderator, able to convey in a few wise words what would take most of us a 100 words to get out.